Predicting the Biggest Team Not to Make It to Knockout Stage of Champions League

The 32 teams in the UEFA Champions League group stage have played only two matches each, but it’s not to early to start thinking about which big clubs won’t make it to the knockout stage.

Group D is the so-called “Group of Death” this season, with Spanish champions Real Madrid, German champions Borussia Dortmund, English champions Manchester City and Dutch champions Ajax in the group.

Ajax lost each of their first two matches, and most would probably assume the Amsterdam club won’t advance from the group. But what about Manchester City? Roberto Mancini’s men lost at Real Madrid and then drew with Dortmund in a match in which they were decidedly second-best.

Elsewhere, Zenit St. Petersburg are last in Group C despite fielding a roster full of high-priced talent. And in Group E, the situation could quickly get sticky for Juventus, Chelsea or both.

Watch as B/R world football lead writers Michael Cummings and Will Tidey discuss which big clubs are destined for an early Champions League exit, and then be sure to add your thoughts in the comments below.

Follow @MikeCummings37 and @willtidey.

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